Oct. 29, 2004

Box Score

KINGSTON, R.I. - Senior Sasha Gotsmanov (Woodbury, Minn.), the nation's leader in goals and points, found the net again Friday night with a goal that looked like it might be enough to vault the No. 21 ranked University of Rhode Island men's soccer team into first-place in the Atlantic 10. Duquesne had other ideas, tying the game with 3:54 remaining and scoring 3:27 into overtime to maintain its hold on first place in the conference with a 2-1 overtime victory at the URI Soccer Complex.

Gotsmanov scored his 18th goal of the season for his 42nd point, both of which lead the entire country, with 14:37 remaining in the game. Junior Simon Gatti (Welland, Ontario) crossed the ball from the left wing and Gotsmanov was there to head the ball off the right post and across the goal line.

The Rams kept Duquesne at-bay until the Rams committed a foul that gave Duquesne an opportunity for a set play. On Duquesne's cross, Rhode Island goalkeeper Dean Ruddy (Mt. Prospect, Ill.) was taken down, but there was no whistle, allowing Andrew Bell to score on an empty net off an assist from Sean Park.

That goal forced overtime and the Rams continued their struggles in extra periods this season, giving up a goal by Derek Mackenzie off an assist from Jason Sourbeer just 4:27 into the first overtime period. Rhode Island is now 0-4-1 in overtime this season, compared to 10-2-0 in regulation.

Rhode Island dropped to 10-6-1 overall and 5-3-1 in the Atlantic 10. Duquesne, which leads the Atlantic 10, improved to 11-6-0, 7-2-0 in the conference.

Duquesne out-shot the Rams 12-10, but the two teams each took four first-half shots and six second-half shots. Ruddy made five saves in goal, including two beautiful diving stops. Duquesne's Zach Varga also turned back five shots, including one key save on a breakaway with the Rams holding a 1-0 lead late in the second half.

The Rams will host St. Bonaventure on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the URI Soccer Complex. The Rams wrap-up Atlantic 10 play next Friday, when they host Massachusetts at 7 p.m. and then close the regular season with the annual in-state rivalry game with Brown on Nov. 7 at 1 p.m. at the URI Soccer Complex.